Box Score Box Score

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Western New England College played a magnificent match for the second straight day, but came up just short against a nationally-ranked opponent.

WNEC and No. 11 Wesleyan battled to a 1-1 double overtime tie in a second round match of the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship Sunday (Nov. 15) before the host Cardinals prevailed on penalty kicks, 5-4.

There were 12 shots in the shootout before freshman goalkeeper Adam Purdy (Montclair, NJ)  stopped the Golden Bears' final attempt to end the exciting match.

Western New England College gave its nationally-ranked opponent all they could handle in recording a draw in their second meeting of the season. The teams battled to a 0-0 double overtime tie back in September in Springfield.

With Jackson Field unplayable because of yesterday's rain, Smith Turf Field at the other end of campus was the site of today's game, and the quick surface provided fast and furious action for 110 minutes.

Western New England College got on the board first when junior Kienan Garn (Lake Huntington, NY) scored his second goal of the season in the 36th minute. Sophomore Shawn Fitzpatrick (Burnt Hills, NY) gained the assist on the play, which started on a corner kick by senior Tony Rosa (Ludlow, MA).

In the second half, WNEC senior goalie Kyle Bak (Cumberland, RI) made a great save on a shot by senior Asante Brooks (Princeton, NJ) in the 49th minute.

The Cardinals came right back and tied the contest 58 seconds later when freshman Rory O'Neill (Silver Spring, MD) knocked in a rebound from senior Keisuke Yamashita (Yokohama, Japan).

For the next hour of playing time, neither team could forge ahead as several shots just missed going into the net.

In the shootout, Wesleyan led 4-3 before Bak kept the Golden Bears' alive with a nice save. Senior Marco Gomes (Ludlow, MA) evened the score before O'Neil put the Cardinals up by a shot.

Purdy then prevented the tying shot by inches with a diving save to his left on the Golden Bears' sixth attempt.

Wesleyan had an 18-12 edge in shots while Western New England College held a slim 7-5 margin in corner kicks. It was a hard-hitting, but fair contest as each side committed 10 fouls.

Bak finished with six saves in the final contest while Purdy had three.

Wesleyan looked to score early as Yamashita and Brooks just missed hitting the net in the opening 18 minutes. WNEC senior Jay Sabia (Poughkeepsie, NY) fired a shot that barely went over the goal in the 21st minute.

Each team couldn't capitalize on a good scoring chance in the second half.

Western New England College sophomore Corey Howard (Hopedale, MA) lined a shot that missed a few inches high in the 66th minute. Bak made another nice stop on an attempt by junior Austin Woolridge (South Orange, NJ) in the 77th minute.

The Cardinals dominated play in the first overtime period, but saw two shots hit the crossbar and another the goal post in a five-minute span. Wesleyan also missed both of its shots in the second extra session.

Western New England College, which went 6-0-2 in its last eight matches, finished the season with a 16-5-4 record.

Wesleyan moves to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history with a 12-1-5 record.